How big is it: More than 800,000 square feet of exhibits in the Anaheim Convention Center

Attendance: A record 95,709 this year, including 11,981 from abroad

Talk about a really big show: With more than 1,400 exhibitors, whose wares covered more than 800,000 square feet at the Anaheim Convention Center, the just-concluded 2012 NAMM show may have overwhelmed even the most dedicated of its 95,709 attendees.

At the other end of the spectrum, El Cajon's 38-year-old Taylor Guitars unveiled its first-ever ukulele model, in a very special, extremely limited edition. Taylor also debuted its first-ever amplifier, also in a very limited edition.

New/old, old/new, here is a look at five of the many items at NAMM that stood out during our visit:

Founded in 1975, Lemon Grove-based Deering Banjos counts country-pop superstar Taylor Swift among its high-profile customers. With a growing number of guitarists turning to the banjo, which traditionally has four or five strings, Deering is expanding its six-string banjo line. The new Phoenix provides the warm twangy sound of a banjo on a six-stringed instrument that is tuned exactly like a guitar. The Phoenix also boasts guitar-like volume and tonal blending controls.

With its silent bass drum monitoring system, the U.K.-based company Porter & Davies hopes to revolutionize the world of drumming for professionals and semi-pros alike. Dubbed the BC2, its breakthrough product uses a tactile audio monitoring system that enables drummers to literally feel the vibration of each bass drum beat they play, transmitted into their spine through a specially equipped drum stool. What results has broad potential, since BC2 can also be used by musicians with partial or even complete hearing loss. Internationally acclaimed orchestral percussionist Evelyn Glennie, who is deaf, has already tried and given a thumbs-up to BC2. Its co-creator, Paul Barretta, has also found the resonant vibrations produced through the BC2 can quickly calm his autistic 8-year-old son.

It’s safe to say no mere virtuoso will ever be able to play the guitar like English-born visionary Allan Holdsworth, a former Vista and Mission Hills resident. But thanks to Carvin, which has been based at various San Diego County locations since 1968, guitarists can now play the same instrument. Headless guitars, which dispense with conventional tuning pegs (and, indeed, the entire headstock of a guitar), are not new and were not invented by Carvin. But Carvin’s just-unveiled HH1 and HH2 guitars are lighter (only 5.5 pounds each) and available in four wood types (koa, walnut, mahogany and swamp ash). Moreover, both guitar models have been extensively road-tested by Holdsworth, whose quest for perfection is nearly as legendary as his dazzling playing.

Fender, which has a large factory in Ensenada, is introducing an array of new electric guitars this year, including a line of Kurt Cobain Jaguar models. Also debuting is Fender’s Pawn Shop Special amplifiers, including The Greta. Designed to resemble a vintage tabletop tube radio, the proudly low-wattage Greta can be used to amplify an electric guitar or bass, or an iPod or other media players. Its main selling point, besides its red-hot retro look, is its very low volume. With just 1 watt of power, you can use The Greta at your desk at work and not annoy your colleagues.

When it comes to guitar practice, smaller (and quieter) is better. At least that’s the hope of Utah-based PocketStrings, whose identically named product is designed to let guitarists practice — silently — on a miniature six-string fretboard. It’s available in a four-fret model for beginners and a six-fret model for more advanced players that allows you to practice chords and scales. Both live up (or down) to their name, since they easily fit in your pocket and are almost featherweight. “When my wife wants us to watch the ‘Twilight’ DVD, I can play my PocketStrings without disturbing her,” said company co-founder TE Lawrence. “You can play it anyplace, anywhere and anytime.”